If you’ve ever shopped for a portable charger or power bank, you’ve seen capacity numbers like 5,000mAh or 20,000mAh. But what do these numbers mean? How do these numbers affect your everyday charging experience?
What does mAh actually mean?
mAh stands for milliamp hours and it’s a measurement of how much energy the charger can store. Think of it like the size of a petrol tank: the higher the mAh, the more “petrol” your charger has to power your devices.
A 5,000mAh portable charger is lightweight and ideal for topping up your phone once or twice. It’s compact, usually slim enough to fit in your pocket, and designed for convenience over endurance. It’s best for casual users or as a backup for emergencies when you're out for a short time.
In contrast, a 20,000mAh power bank can recharge your phone 4-6 times, or charge several devices before needing to be recharged itself. It can also support laptops, tablets, e-readers, and portable speakers. These are better suited for people on long trips, busy professionals or anyone who needs reliable charging throughout the day.
What are the trade-offs?
5,000mAh portable chargers are more portable and affordable. They’re ideal for low-drain devices, such as phones, earbuds or smartwatches- and for shorter periods without access to power.
A 20,000mAh power bank on the other hand, is slightly larger but far more versatile. It often comes with features like fast charging, dual USB outputs and USB-C compatibility, allowing it to support more power-hungry devices.
Another consideration is how often you recharge the bank itself. Smaller power banks need to be topped up more frequently, whilst a larger bank holds more energy and stays ready for longer periods, especially useful while travelling or in emergencies
Conclusion
Choosing between these sizes comes down to how often you charge and how many devices you carry. If your needs are light, a small portable charger might suffice like the Pulse Charge Infinity Wireless Charger. But for professionals, students, travellers or anyone who values power and flexibility, investing in a high-capacity power bank like the Pulse Charge Lightning 20,000mAh Power Bank pays off in convenience and performance. Oftentimes, both are a suitable option to give you peace of mind that you’ll have power how and when you need it.
